Note to requesting physician: This letter responds to your request for information on an appropriate format

and/or topics in a PA letter. It is being provided to you per your request for suggested language to provide to
Health Plans that have formulary restrictions in place for VASCEPA. This letter is not promotional in nature
but merely provides scientifically accurate and balanced information for your consideration.

RE: Vascepa® (icosapent ethyl) Capsules, for oral use

Dear [Formulary Decision Maker],

I am the prescribing physician for patient {Name}. This patient has triglycerides (TGs) 135-499 mg/dL and
other CV risk factors and requires VASCEPA as the most suitable therapy, based on the available evidence
from clinical trials. For the reasons stated below {tailor points below to the patient specific situation}, in
my medical judgment, other available TG lowering products are not suitable for this patient.

1. Need to reduce cardiovascular events in patient with residual risk1,2

In the REDUCE-IT trial, VASCEPA was proven to reduce cardiovascular events:
o Primary composite endpoint demonstrated a highly statistically significant (P=0.00000001) 25%
relative risk reduction (RRR) (4.8% absolute risk reduction [ARR]), with a number needed to treat
(NNT) of 21 over 4.9 years
o Key secondary composite endpoint (3-point MACE of CV death, nonfatal MI, nonfatal stroke)
demonstrated a highly statistically significant (P=0.0000006) 26% RRR (3.6% ARR) with an NNT of 28
over 4.9 years
o Significant reductions in prespecified secondary endpoints were also demonstrated, including a
20% reduction in CV death, 31% reduction in MI, and a 28% reduction in stroke
o While overall adverse event rates were similar across treatment groups
o There were numerically more serious adverse events related to bleeding; overall rates
were low (2.7% for VASCEPA vs 2.1% for placebo, P=0.06), with no fatal bleeding
observed in either group and no significant increase in adjudicated hemorrhagic stroke
or serious central nervous system or gastrointestinal bleeding
o There was a significantly higher rate of hospitalization for atrial fibrillation or flutter,
though rates were low (3.1% for VASCEPA vs 2.1% for placebo, P=0.004)

2. Fenofibrates are inappropriate

o Fibrates have been shown to increase LDL-C (“bad” cholesterol) by approximately 45% in some
patients with very high triglyceride (VHTG) levels – complicating efforts to improve overall lipid
health and requiring added or stronger dose statin intervention in eligible patients.3
o Side effects reported for fenofibrate include serious conditions such as myopathy (e.g., muscle
weakness), cholelithiasis (i.e. gallstones) and rhabdomyolysis (i.e., muscle breakdown that can
result in kidney damage) – the muscle related risks may be increased when taken with a statin,
which patients with persistent high TGs may require. Myopathy and rhabdomyolysis have been
reported in patients taking fenofibrate. The risks for myopathy and rhabdomyolysis are increased
when fibrates are co-administered with a statin (with a significantly higher rate observed for
gemfibrozil), particularly in elderly patients and patients with diabetes, renal failure, or
hypothyroidism).3
o In April of 2015, FDA removed the following indication from the Trilipix® package insert (PI)3:
Trilipix is indicated as an adjunct to diet in combination with a statin to reduce TG and increase
HDL-C in patients with mixed dyslipidemia and CHD or a CHD risk equivalent who are on optimal
statin therapy to achieve their LDL-C goal.

VAS-00734v6 12/18
 o In addition, in April 2016, FDA announced the removal of the indication for co-therapy with statin
from all generic Trilipix products. The reason the Agency gave was that “FDA has determined
that the benefits of niacin ER tablets and fenofibric acid DR capsules for coadministration with
statins no longer outweigh the risks, and the approvals for this indication should be withdrawn.”
o Fenofibrate is not indicated or approved for concomitant or adjunctive use with a statin.4
o For the reasons listed above, fenofibrates are not, in my opinion, the most appropriate therapy
for this patient.

3. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) Containing Omega-3 Combination Products are inappropriate

o DHA containing omega-3 combination products do not currently have CV outcomes trials showing
reduction in cardiovascular events.
o DHA containing omega-3 agents tend to increase levels of LDL-C in some patients with VHTG, by
approximately 45%.5
o A recent article published in March 2018 in JAMA titled ‘Associations of Omega-3 Fatty Acid
Supplement Use With Cardiovascular Disease Risks’ reported, most of the studies included in this
meta-analysis utilized mixed EPA and DHA omega-3 products administered daily at a low dose, and
were not positive, including prescription therapy and dietary supplements.6
o The ASCEND trial which used Lovaza® (named Omacor in Europe), which is a prescription omega- 3
mixture of EPA, DHA and other ingredients, administered at a low dose of 1 gram/day in the
omega-3 arms of the study did not find a reduction of serious vascular events in patients with
diabetes and without diagnosed cardiovascular disease.7
o Similar analysis has been conducted and published by other sources, including the Cochrane
review.8 Failed results with omega-3 mixtures on top of statin therapy was again demonstrated in
the results of the VITAL study published in November 2018 the NEJM in which Lovaza again failed
to demonstrate cardiovascular benefit.9
For the reasons listed above, DHA containing omega-3 combination products, including omega-3 acid
ethyl esters, are not, in my medical opinion, the most appropriate therapy for this patient.

4. Fish Oil Dietary Supplements are inappropriate

o As reflected in the Orange Book (www.fda.gov/cder/ob), there are no FDA-approved “OTC”
omega-3 dietary supplements available to treat medical conditions.10
o Dietary supplements are not regulated as drugs by the FDA; they are regulated as food. Therefore,
supplements do not have to meet stringent FDA drug standards, and the FDA does not review any
clinical trial data before supplements are sold to patients making any omega-3 supplement efficacy
claims regarding lowering triglycerides unverified.10
o The quantity and quality of ingredients in omega-3 dietary supplements are reported to be highly
variable.10 Top-selling supplements contain only 30% omega-3,11,12 and many contain lower
omega-3 than specified on the label.13 Many supplements contain DHA, which has the potential to
raise LDL-C levels in some patients.14 The remaining 70% of ingredients are
unknown/uncharacterized on the label,13,14 and some supplements may contain up to one-third
saturated fat.14 In addition, if fish oil is exposed to air during poor manufacturing conditions, it
may oxidize.15
o There is a significant pill burden to attempt to achieve 4 grams of EPA. Given that the most
commonly sold omega-3 dietary supplements are only 30% omega-3 (18% EPA+12% DHA), patients
would need to ingest 10 to 40 capsules per day to achieve the equivalent 4 grams of pure EPA
found in one daily dose of prescription, pure EPA, VASCEPA.
o The health benefits of dietary supplements are unproven. Dietary supplements may contain
oxidized components that interfere with their potential biological benefits.15

VAS-00734v6 12/18
 o Organizations such as American Diabetes Association, American Society Health-System
Pharmacists, and American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, do not recommend omega-3
supplements to treat disease.16,17,18
For the reasons listed above, omega-3 dietary supplements are not, in my medical opinion, the most
appropriate therapy for this patient.

5. Extended-release (ER) Niacin and ER Niacin-statin combinations are inappropriate

o Although it can be used for the treatment of persistent high TGs, the tolerability profile of this class
of products may make it difficult for compliance and meaningful clinical use.
o In April of 2015, FDA removed the following indication from the Niaspan® PI:19
o NIASPAN in combination with simvastatin or lovastatin is indicated for the treatment of primary
hyperlipidemia and mixed dyslipidemia when treatment with NIASPAN, simvastatin, or lovastatin
monotherapy is considered inadequate
o In addition, in April 2016, FDA announced the removal of the indication for co-therapy with statin
from all generic Niaspan products. The reason the Agency gave was that “FDA has determined
that the benefits of niacin ER tablets and fenofibric acid DR capsules for coadministration with
statins no longer outweigh the risks, and the approvals for this indication should be withdrawn.”
o Further, in April 2016, the FDA publicly announced that Advicor® & Simcor® (niacin XR +
lovastatin & niacin XR + simvastatin, respectively) have also been removed from the market. In
an entry published within the Federal Register, the FDA stated that it has determined that
“benefits of ADVICOR and SIMCOR no longer outweigh the risks, and approval should be
withdrawn.”
For the reasons listed above, Niacin is not, in my medical opinion, the most appropriate therapy for this patient.

6. Vascepa use in combination with statins is desirable therapy for this patient
o 60% {please update percent to your practice} or greater of my patients are started on a statin to
control their LDL-C levels. When TG levels are at a level studied in REDUCE-IT (135-499 mg/dL), I
want to add Vascepa to help address residual CV event risk beyond cholesterol management.1,2

7. Request to Remove Prior Authorization Requirement

o I am sensitive to formulary prior authorization restrictions, as they create more work for myself and
my staff, which decreases quality time, spent with patients. That said, as a physician, I believe that
patients with TG levels 135-499 mg/dL be allowed prescription, EPA only Vascepa therapy with the
least possible restrictions. There is no AB-Rated alternative for Vascepa.

Please see indication, limitations of use, ISI, additional important information for healthcare professionals, and a
synopsis of the REDUCE-IT study attached. Additionally, going forward, I would recommend that Vascepa be
included in Tier-2 formulary coverage with no restrictions in order to support patient-care options and reduce
the potential need for increased statin dose.

I appreciate your consideration to approve my request for {Name}.

Please contact me at {xxx-xxxx} if I can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,

PHYSICIAN NAME
References:

1 Bhatt DL, Steg PG, Miller M, et al; for the REDUCE-IT Investigators. Cardiovascular risk reduction with icosapent ethyl for hypertriglyceridemia [published

online ahead of print November 10, 2018]. N Engl J Med. doi:nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1812792.

2 Bhatt DL, Steg P, Miller M, et al. The primary results of the REDUCE IT trial. Presented at: American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2018;

November 10-12, 2018; Chicago, IL.

3 TRILIPIX [package insert]. North Chicago, IL: AbbVie; 2015
4 AbbVie Inc. et al; Withdrawal of Approval of Indications Related to the Coadministration With Statins in Applications for Niacin Extended-Release Tablets and

Fenofibric Acid Delayed-Release Capsules https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/04/18/2016-08887/abbvie-inc-et-al-withdrawal-of-approval-of-

indications-related-to-the-coadministration-with-statins Accessed November 15, 2018.
5 Lovaza [package insert]. Research Triangle Park, NC: GlaxoSmithKline; 2014.
6 Aung T, Halsey J, Kromhout D, et al. Associations of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplement Use With Cardiovascular Disease Risks: Meta-analysis of 10

Trials Involving 77 917 Individuals. JAMA Cardiol. 2018;3(3):225–234.

7 Bowman L. Effects of n-3 fatty acid supplements in diabetes mellitus. The ASCEND Study Collaborative Group. N Engl J Med. 2018;379(16):1540-1550.
8 Abdelhamid AS, Brown TJ, Brainard JS, et al. Omega-3 fatty acids for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cochrane

Database Syst Rev. 2018;7:CD003177. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003177.pub3.

9 Manson, JE, Lee, I-Min, Mora, Samia, et al. Marine n-3 Fatty Acids and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer. N Engl J Med. 2018. Epub

ahead of print.
10 Hilleman D, Smer A. Prescription omega-3 fatty acid products and dietary supplements are not interchangeable. Manag Care. 2016;25(1):46-52.
11 Davidson MH. Omega-3 fatty acids: new insights into the pharmacology and biology of docosahexaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, and

eicosapentaenoic acid. Curr Opin Lipidol. 2013;24(6):467-474. doi:10.1097/MOL.0000000000000019.

12 Zargar A, Ito MK. Long chain omega-3 dietary supplements: a review of the National Library of Medicine Herbal Supplement Database. Metab Syndr

Relat Disord. 2011;9(4):255-271. doi:10.1089/met.2011.0004.

13 Kleiner AC, Cladis DP, Santerre CR. A comparison of actual versus stated label amounts of EPA and DHA in commercial omega-3 dietary supplements

in the United States. J Sci Food Agric. 2015;95(6):1260-1267.

14 Mason RP, Sherratt SCR. Omega-3 fatty acid fish oil dietary supplements contain saturated fats and oxidized lipids that may interfere with their intended

biological benefits. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications (2017). doi:10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.12.127.

15 Albert BB et al. Oxidation of marine omega-3 supplements and human health. Biomed Res Int. 2013;2013:464921.
16 Evert AB et al. Nutrition therapy recommendations for the management of adults with diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2013;36:3821-3842.
17 American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. ASHP statement on the use of dietary supplements. Am J Health-Syst Pharm. 2004;61:1707-1711.
18 Jellinger PS, Handlesman Y, Rosenblit PD, et al. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American College of Endocrinology Guidelines

for Management of Dyslipidemia and Prevention of Atherosclerosis. Endocr Pract. In press. doi:10.4158/EP171764.GL.
19 NIASPAN [package insert]. North Chicago, IL: AbbVie; 2015